Laconia brush fires send firefighters to hospital

LACONIA — Two large brush fires about a half-mile apart Saturday each sent a firefighter to the hospital, authorities said.

"They're not related," fire Capt. Bob Landry said Sunday.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of both fires but don't suspect arson, he said.

"When you get a fire out in the woods, it's pretty hard to determine where it started," he said.

The first fire, reported at 1:45 p.m. behind 833 Weirs Blvd., grew to five alarms and 10 acres. About 50 firefighters from 15 communities responded. A firefighter was taken to Lakes Region General Hospital for heat exhaustion and released.

The second fire, reported at 10:50 p.m. near 672 Weirs Blvd., grew to two acres and two alarms, involving about 15 firefighters from four communities.

A firefighter "got poked in the eye with a branch and had to go to the hospital," Landry said. He was later released.